Wildcat D via Wildcat Ridge Trail

The Wildcat D via Wildcat Ridge Trail is 4.0 miles round trip, starting at Glen Ellis Falls Parking (Route 16). At AMC book time — half the distance in hours plus 30 minutes per 1,000 ft of climbing — that works out to roughly 2-4 hours. Most parties take longer than book time on rough or above-treeline terrain, in winter, or with a heavy pack.

The Wildcat D via Wildcat Ridge Trail climbs about 2,173 ft over 4.0 miles — an average of roughly 544 ft of gain per mile. That figure is cumulative ascent across the whole out-and-back, not the difference between the trailhead and the high point.

HikerNerd rates the Wildcat D via Wildcat Ridge Trail Moderate, scored with the Shenandoah difficulty formula — √(elevation gain × 2 × distance) — applied to its 4.0 miles and 2,173 ft of gain. The score measures physical effort only. Above-treeline exposure, water crossings, and winter conditions can make a moderate-rated route the hardest day of your year, so check current conditions before committing.

The Wildcat D via Wildcat Ridge Trail summits 1 named peak: Wildcat Mountain (D Peak).

The Wildcat D via Wildcat Ridge Trail starts at Glen Ellis Falls Parking (Route 16). Check the trail alerts on this page before you drive — trailhead access and parking in the White Mountains change with closures and construction.